The drama from Justin Bijlow’s failed move to Southampton this summer continues, with teammate Timon Wellenreuther now feeling unloved by everyone at Feyenoord.
That’s at least according to Pierre van Hoojdonk, via Voetbal Primeur, who believes the Feyenoord man has been left feeling a little left out after Bijlow’s failed move.
For those that don’t know, he was on the verge of joining Southampton in the summer transfer window. A deal had been agreed and he flew over for a medical, which proved to be the turning point.
He and Southampton disagreed on the treatment he’d received for wrist injuries suffered in the last few years and the Saints subsequently cancelled the deal and signed Aaron Ramsdale instead.
That saw Bijlow return to Feyenoord, where he had been demoted to number two behind Wellenreuther in the pecking order.
Since that point there has been consistent calls for him to return to the starting lineup, with the pressure growing on Wellenreuther and mistakes creeping into his game.
Feyenoord manager Brian Priske has relented and brought Bijlow back for the 3-2 win over AZ Alkmaar last weekend as a result. That, though, has had it’s own knock-on effect according to Van Hooijdonk.
“I think Wellenreuther felt very alone after the collapsed transfer of Justin Bijlow to Southampton,” he said.
“Of course he received attention from the staff, but the audience immediately shouted for Bijlow, the club’s child. He had to be put back under the bar.
“Mistakes were blamed on him. Sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly. Ultimately, he is passed over against AZ and then you have to play the first match you get in the Champions League again. I can imagine that he went ‘out’ for a while.
“I just saw him enter the field. That’s a full-throated sound for most players, but for him it remained quiet. You feel that as a player. You don’t hear everything people say, but you quickly feel the vibe. Do they like you? Or do they not like you? I felt the latter a bit with him.”
